Milan are this year's Trofeo TIM champions, winning the tournament
decider 3-1 with goals from Seedorf (2) and Kakà, in answer to
Zalayeta's opener for the Bianconeri.
Milan came from behind to win the night's opening tie, Favalli and
Boriello replying to Cruz's opening goal to seal a 2-1 victory over
Inter. The result meant that Juventus would take on the Nerazzuri in
the second match of the tournament. Deschamps paired Giannichedda and
Pisani in the centre of defence, while Del Piero and Zalayeta formed
the Bianconeri's attacking
partnership. It was the captain himself
who scored Juve's opening goal, drilling in a swerving free-kick from
twenty-five yards in the 6th minute (0-1). Mirante pulled off a number
of fine saves at the other end before Birindelli came close in the 14th
minute, forcing a great save from Julio Cesar with a thumping drive
from another long range free-kick. In the 27th minute, Figo played a
neat one-two with Adriano and left Mirante with no chance with his
emphatic equaliser (1-1). The young Juve 'keeper pulled off another
save from a dangerous Recoba free-kick in the 32nd minute and three
minutes later, Giannichedda was given his marching orders after
slipping on the turn and handling the ball under pressure from Adriano.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Juve hung on to take the match to a
penalty shootout. Captain Del Piero scored the winning spot kick with a
precise finish, deciding the match in the Bianconeri's favour and
setting up a showdown with Milan in the third and final match of the
evening.
In the deciding tie Juventus again drew first blood, Zalayeta
netting in the 5th minute after a magnificent long ball from Lagnese
had sent him through on goal (0-1). Nedved, who replaced Zanetti in the
18th minute, and Marchisio looked to grab the Bianconeri's second, but
it was Milan who were to score next, Seedorf firing in the equaliser
off the underside of the bar in the 25th minute (1-1). Twelve minutes
later Birindelli brought down Kakà in the box, and the Brazilian
made no mistake in slotting home the resulting penalty (2-1). Juventus
pushed for a second but right at the death, Seedorf converted a clever
lay-off from Kakà to seal victory in this year's Trofeo TIM with
a 3-1 victory. Despite the result, Juventus could take some consolation
from the performances of Alex Del Piero, deservedly voted player of the
tournament.